When comparing Instagram Direct vs Skype, the Slant community recommends Skype for most people. In the question“What are the best messaging apps for Android?”Skype is ranked 23rd while Instagram Direct is ranked 36th. The most important reason people chose Skype is:

There's a good chance that whoever you're trying to reach has Skype already set up and familiar with it, avoiding the hassle of installing and getting to know new software.

Con

Not a feasible alternative as a professional team chat

Con

Poor quality when screensharing

It is not possible to manually set resolution or bitrate, and Skype often defaults to a resolution so low that text is unreadable. It is also not possible to transfer control over mouse and keyboard.

Con

Slow filesharing speed

Con

Owned by Microsoft

Con

Obnoxiously large ads

Ads take up over 25% of the usable space.

Con

Poor Linux support

The version available for linux users is quite outdated, and does not support some of the newer functionality, such as the free group video calling and screen sharing.

Con

Requires both ends to be online (if neither end is using a cloud-enabled device)

Messages are sent and received only when both ends are online, if neither end is using a cloud-enabled device. In this case, if you are online 9-17 and your recipient is online 18-3, messages will never be delivered.

Con

MIcrosoft (Skype's owner) actively assists eavesdroppers

On the other hand, if you lose your copy of one of your conversations, you may be able to get a copy of it from your government with a little bit of luck and a public records request.

Con

Subpar video quality with more than 5 users

Skype has significant problems with multiple users and video quality. Skype recommends that a max of 5 users group chat as video quality is severely affected. Even webcams tested with other chat services showed lower quality when used with Skype.

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